There's a move underway on the internet to restore the reputation of commentator Peter Schiff, president of Euro Pacific Capital, whose dour predictions were frequently scoffed at in 2006 and 2007 by on-air talking heads. They now seem eerily prescient, while the laughing heads seem, well... I'll leave that up to you. 

You can see more 'Peter Schiff Was Right' videos on Youtube.

Connect NYC '09 is just around the corner (if you haven't registered, now would be a good time).  That means its time to start up the roll call.  If you are going to be at Connect NYC '09, then stand up and introduce yourself.  All you have to do is record a video telling everyone who you are and what has you excited about Connect NYC '09.  Then, post your video to YouTube or the video hosting site of choice.  Once you've done that, send me an email with a link to the video:  Daniel.Rothamel@Inman.com   I'll be posting the videos right here on the blog all way up until Connect NYC '09 kicks off on January 7th, 2009.

Since I'm asking all of you for videos, it is only fair that I participate:

Don't be shy! Send me those videos, and I'll see you in Times Square!

Inman News has embarked on a major editorial project and we need your input.

Please take a few minutes to write a paragraph or two (no more than 400 words) on any or all of the following questions. We plan to publish your responses on Inman News with your picture and credit you for your contribution. Only answer the questions you are comfortable answering, ignore the other ones.

1.  Imagine how the real estate industry will be different when we recover from the current downturn. (Pick an area such as brokerage, title, lending, technology or consumer behavior, or address the entire industry.)

2.  How will the business model or business practices of the title, brokerage or lending industries change in the future?

3. Will the industry be regulated differently in the future? If so, how?

4. What must the industry do now to prepare for this new direction?

5. What technology trends will change the industry in the future?

6. What skills will the real estate agent of the future require?

7.  How will real estate advertising dollars be spent in the future? How will real estate marketing be different?

8.  Will sales activity in your local housing market contract or expand in 2009? Will national sales activity contract or expand?

9. What will drive the expansion or contraction?

10. Will local home prices decrease, increase or remain stable in 2009? 2010? Will national home prices fall, rise or remain flat in

2009? In 2010?

Please send your responses in a Word document, along with a high-resolution headshot of yourself, to future@inman.com. Please include your full title and how you would like to be credited. We are offering a free pass to the upcoming Real Estate Connect conference in New York City to the author of any submission that we publish in full (valid for new registrations only). The conference will be held Jan. 7-9, 2009.